Duplicating-machine.



H. G. LIEBENTHAL.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII E.

APPLI .21.!913. 1,179,849. P11811611 Apr. 18,1916.

3 eeeee s-s zzzz 2.

FIG. 1/. FIG W.

WITNESSES: gfiflx: I INVE TOR:

H. G. LIEBENTHAL.

DUPLICATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. 1913.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

g min.

III

INVENTOR: WM... QM

WITNESSES: Ma

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN G. LIEBENTHAL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO KATHERINE R. OKANE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DUPLICATING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

Application filed April 21, 1913. Serial No. 762,643.

I! '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN G. LiEBnN- unit, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Duplicating-Machines, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsf My improvement is particularly applicable to printing machines of the type known commercially as the Multigraph comprising a rotary printing cylinder having a series of undercut channels in its perimeter extending parallel with its axis to receive complementary shaped flanged type which said cylinder presents in opposition to the other member of the printing couple. As ordinarily constructed, the printed impressions from such a machine are irregular in accordance with the length of the lines of type; because the lines of type extend parallel with the axis of the printing cylinder and are successively pressed between the printing couple with a given pressure which, being the same for each line, is variable per unit of length of the line. For instance, a line one-half the length of the cylinder would be printed with a pressure, per unit of length of that line, double the pressure per unit of length of a line which is the full length of the cylinder, and consequently the shorter the lines the more deeply and darkly they are printed.

Therefore, it is the object of my invention to provide such a machine with means to equalize the pressure per unit of area upon the successive lines of type in compensation for variations in the length of the lines: so that the printed impressions made from successive lines shall be uniform in depth and darkness regardless of. differcncesin the length of said lines.

My invention provides means interposed between the couple at the short lines to sustain a portion of the printing pressure which would otherwise be concentrated on said short lines, and, as hereinafter de scribed, such devices include detachable cam elements which may be fitted in the type channels in the printing drum, or otherwise applied to the latter, to bear upon a pair of bearing rollers carried by the platen shaft concentric with its axis. For instance, the duplicating machine which I have chosen for illustration includes the combination with a rotary printing drum; of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; :1 platen roller journaled on said eccentric; & pair of bearing rollers carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; detachable cam members on said printing drum; arranged to bear upon said bearing rollers, ineluding an element having recesses in its periphery extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum, and elements detachably fitted in said recesses to project'beyond the printing faces of the printing elements on said drum; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing rollers; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and platen may be variably predetermined to be different at different regions of the circumference ofsaid drum. Said construction includes the clutch means aforesaid because the platen is positively driven so as to turn synchronously with the printing drum. However, if the bearing rollers are not included in the driving means of the platen, said clutch means may be omitted.

My invention comprises various novel features'of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the drawings; Figure I is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a Multigraph machine to which my invention has been applied. Fig. II is a side view of the bearing roller at the right side of Fig. I. Fig. III is an end view of said bearing roller. Fig. IV is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the printing drum shown in Fig. I, but on a larger scale, showing the arrangement of my invention in connection therewith. Fig. V is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of said drum taken on the line V, V in Fig. IV. Fig. VI is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of said drum taken on the line VI, VI in Fig. IV. Fig. VII is a. perspective view of one of the detachable cam members shown in Fig. VI. VIII is a fragmentar transverse section! view of said drum ta en on the line VIII, VIII in Fig. IV. Fig. IX is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a printing drum similar to Fig. VI but showing a modified form of my invention. Fig. X is an elevation of one of the cam type. Fig. XI is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a Multigraph machine including a modified form of my invention. Fig. XII is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken on the line XII, XII in Fig. XI. Fig. XIII is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken on the line XIII, XIII in Fig. XI.

In said figures; 1 indicates the frame of a Multigraph machine having bearings 2 and 3 for the shaft 5 of the rotary printing drum 6 having the curved surface 8 with the undercut channels 9 therein. Said drum 6 is conveniently provided with means for moving said surface 8 about its center of curvature, including the handle 11 rigidly connected with said shaft 5. The platen shaft 13 being journaled inthe bearings 14 and 15 in said frame 1, extends parallel with the axis of said printing drum and has the eccentric 17 on which is journaled the cylindrical platen roller 18 having the face 19 of resilient material, conveniently rubber. Said shaft 13 carries the pair of bearing rollers 21 and 22 which are join-nailed thereon concentric with its axis. Said bearing rollers 21 and 22 are respectively provided with clutch means connecting them for rotation with said platen roller 18 and including the crown lugs 24 and 25 respectively fitting in the recesses 27 and 28 at the opposite ends of said platen 18. Said drum 6 is provided with the driving gear 30 engaging the platen gear 31 which is journaled on said shaft 13. Clutch means are provided operatively connecting said platen gear 31 with said bearing roller 21 including the crown lugs 34 on said roller 21 fitting the re-' cesses 35 in said platen gear. It is to be understood that the arrangement above described is such that when said drum 6 is turned to move its surface 8 about its center of curvature, to wit, the axis of said shaft 5, said platen 18 is correspondingly moved; said bearing roller 21 serving as a coupling between the platen gear 31 and the platen 18 although said roller and platen are rotatable upon respectively different axes in eccentric relation with each other. Of course, said platen 18 and bearing roller 21 move radially relatively to each other during their rotary movement, such radial movement belugs 24 and 34, on said roller 21, enga ing ing permitted by the loose connection 0 the the recesses 27 and 85, respectively in said platen and platen gear.

Although said platen shaft 13 is normally stationary in the frame 1 it may be turned, to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen,

without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum 6 and said hearing rollers 21 and 22, and such rotary adjustment of the normally stationary platen shaft 13 is conveniently effected by the handle 37 which may be detained in any position of angular adjustment by suitable means not shown. Such adjustment is used to vary the printing pressure between the resilient surface 19 of said platen roller 18 and the printing faces of the type 40 which, as shown in Fig. V, have flanges 41 fitting said undercut channels 9 in the curved face 8 of said drum (3. Such variation in the printing pressure is elfected to vary the depth of the impression of the printing faces of said type 40 with respect to the paper 42, through the inking ribbon 43 which is interposed between said paper and said faces as shown in Fig. I. In order to equalize the pressure per unit of area upon the successive lines of said printing tvpe -10 in compensation for variations in the length of said lines, I interpose between said curved surfaceS of the drum ii and the opposed surface 19 of the platen 15s a. cam element or elements carried by said drum at its surface 8. Said cum element may be a cam type 45 having flanges AE fitted to said channels 9 like the printing type 10 but having a bearing face projecting beyond the printing face of said type +0, as shown in Fig. Y. Although said type 45 only extends in aliucment with one line of type r0; it is to be understood that such cam type may be made to bridge two or more of the lines of said type ill; for instance. as shown in Fig. VIII the cam type 48 extends transversely with respect to live of the channels 9 and has the flanges +5) fitting in each of said channels. However. it is to be understood that such bridge cam type may be made to extend transversely with respect to several of the channels 5) without having flanges 49 engaged with all of them; such flanges in two places on such a bridge cam type being sufficient to hold the latter in adjusted position. As shown at the right hand end of channels 9, such cam type 45' (or 48) may bear directly upon the opposed platen surface 19. However, as above described, said platen surface is resilient and consequently such an arrangement would not positively determine the.-

radial extent of the space between the o)- posed surfaces of the printing couple. f course, said platen roller 18 may be provided with rigid Zones serving as bearings in opposition to the cam type aforesaid; but such arrangement would limit the longitudinal extent of the platen available for printing purposes, particularly at the right hand end of the channels 9, as indicated in Fig. I. Therefore, it is preferable to locate said cam type 45, etc, at the left hand end of the drum 6, in opposition to the rigid bearing roller 22, as shown in Fi I, and to provide cam elements arranged to be removably set in opposition to the hearing roller 21 at the right hand end of the drum 6, as shown in Fig. I. As ordinarily constructed the Multigraph machine has a cylindrical recess 51 at the circumference of the drum 6, at the right hand end thereof, as indicated in Fig. I, and I secure therein a cam device opposed to the bearing roller 21 and includin the sectoral cam rack 52 which is rigi ly connected with said drum 6, conveniently by screws 53 at the opposite ends of said rack, one of which is indicated in Fig. rack 52 has recesses 55 which are undercut for engagement with the detachable cam type 56 which are conveniently formed of pressed sheet metal and so proportioned that they project radially with respect to the drum 6 beyond the printing faces of the printing type 40 to the same extent as the cam type 45 and 48 above described. Referring to Fig. VI it may be observed that said recesses 55 are of such circumferential extent as to only leave at the perimeter of the cam rack 52 the circumferentially undercut projections 58 to be embraced by the removable cam type 56. However. it is to be understood that suitable recesses to receive and hold such cam type may be otherwise formed; for instance, as shown in Fig. IX. the recesses 60 which engage the cam type 56 are merel sawcuts in the perimeter of the rack.

It is to be understoodthat the cam devices including the racks 52 above described are mere expedients to fit the duplicating machines as now on the market, and that a simpler arrangement would be to extend the drum channels 9 in opposition to the bearing roller 21 above described so that the cam type 45 may be set in opposition to said roller like the printing type 40. Moreover, although I prefer to employ bearing rollers in opposition to the cam elements on the printing drum to limit the depth of the printin impression of the printing type, as above escribed; it is to be understood that other means may be arranged to coiiperate with said cam elements for that purpose.

In the form of my invention above described the only means for determining the precise distance between the axes of the drum 6 and the bearing rollers 21 and 22 are the bearings 14 and 15 at the opposite ends of the shaft 13 upon which said rollers are mounted; (said bearing 15, being a rotary eccentric,) as above described. However, I find it convenient to provide such bearing rollers with means to precisely adjust the distance between their axes and the axis of said drum 6 without changing the position of the platen roller shaft upon which said VI. As shown in Fig. VI said cam connected with said shaft 68. The platen shaft 7 5 being journaled in the bearings 7 T and 78 in said frame (35, extends parallel with the axis of said printing drum and has the eccentric 80 on which is journaled the cylindrical platen roller 81 having the face 82 of resilient material. Said bearing 78 is a rotary eccentric having the lever arm 84: slotted to receive the screw 85 by which it may be secured in adjusted position, so that the distance between the axes of said drum 69 and platen roller shaft 75 may be precisely determined. Said shaft 75 carries the air of bearing rollers 87 and 88 which are ournaled on the respective rotary eccentric bearings 90 and 91 which are rigidly connected by the bar 92, shown in Figs. XII and XIII, so that they may be simultaneously turned on said shaft 75 by the lever arm 96, shown at the left hand side of Fig. XI and in Fig. XIII. having the slot 97 for the screw 98 by which it may be secured in adjusted position, so that the distance between the axes of said drum 69 and said rollers 87 and 88 may be precisely determined, and varied, without changing the position of the axis of said platen roller shaft 75. Said bearing rollers 87 and 88 are respectively provided with clutch means connecting them for rotation with said platen roller 81 and including the crown lugs 90 and 100 respectively fitting in the recesses 101 and 103 at the opposite ends of said platen 81. Said drum 69 is provided with the driving gear 105 engaging the platen gear 106 which is supported by said shaft 75 but journaled on the portion 107 of said eccentric 90, which portion is concentric with the axis of said shaft. Clutch means are provided operatively connecting said platen gear 106 with said bearing roller 87 including the crown lugs 109 on said roller 87 fitting the recesses 110 in said platen gear. It is to be understood that the arrangement last above described is such that when said drum 69 is turned to move its surface 71 about its center of curvature, to wit, the axis of said shaft 68, said platen 81 is correspondingly moved; said bearing roller 87 serving as a coupling between said platen ear 106 and the platen 81, although said rol er and platen are rotatable upon respectively different axes in eccentric relation with each other.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotary printin drum; of a platen shaft extending para lel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; :1 platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a pair of bearing rollers carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; a gear on said drum; a platen gear on said shaft, en-

gaging said drum gear; clutch means operatively connecting said platen gear with one of said bearing rollers; detachable cam members on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing rollers, including an element having recesses in its periphery extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum, and elements detachably fitted in said recesses to project beyond the printing faces of the printing elements on said drum; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the dis tance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing rollers; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and platen may be variably predetermined to be different at different regions of the circumference of said drum.

2. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotary printin drum; of a platen shaft extending para lel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft: a platen roller journaled on said eccentric, a pair of bearin rollers carried by said shaft concentric wit its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; detachable cam members on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing rollers, in- CllKlIlg an element having recesses in its periphery extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum, and elements detachably fitted in said receses to project beyond the printing faces of the printing elements on said drum; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adj ustabl vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing rollers; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and platen may be variably predetermined to be difl'erent at different regions of the circumference of said drum.

3. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotary. printing drum,- of a.

platen shaft extending parallel with the 85 axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; 9, platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a bearing roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing roller for rotation with said platen roller; a gear on said shaft; clutch means operatively connecting said gear with said bearing roller; an adjustable cam member on said printing drum, ar-

ranged to bear upon said bearing roller, in-

eluding an element having a recess in its periphery, and an element detachably fitted in said recess to project beyond the printing face on said drum; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing roller; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and platen may b variably predetermined to be different at different regions of the circumference of said drum.

4. In a duplicating machine, the combi nation with a rotary printing drum, of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a bearing roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing roller; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and platen may be variably predetermined to be different at different regions of the circumference of said drum.

5. In a duplicating machine, the comb1nation with a rotary printing drum; of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said e ccentric; a bearin roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; an adjustable cam member on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing roller; means whereby said shaft may be turned to ad ustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing roller; whereby the printing pressure between said drum and printing drum, an 7100 ranged to bear upon said bearing roller;

platen may be variably predetermined to be different at different regions of the circumference of said drum.

6. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotary printing drum; of aplaten shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a pair of bearing rollers carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; a gear on said drum; a platen gear on said shaft, engaging said drum gear; clutch means operatively connecting said platen gear with one of said bearing rollers; detachable cam members on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing rollers, including an element having recesses in its periphery extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum. and elements detachably fitted in said recesses to project beyond the printing faces of the printing elements on said drum.

7. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotary printing drum; of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a pair of bearing rollers carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said hearing rollers for rotation with said platen roller; detachable cam members on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing rollers, including an element having recesses in its periphery extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum, and elements detachably fitted in said recesses to project beyond the printing faces of the printing elements on said drum.

. 8. In a duplicating machine, the combina tion with a rotary printing drum, of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a bearing roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing roller for rotation with said platen roller; a gear on said shaft; clutch means operatively connecting said gear with said bearing roller; an adjustable cam member on said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing roller, including an element having a recess in its periphery, and an element detachably fitted in said recess to project beyond the printing face on said drum; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing roller. 7

9. In a duplicating machine. the combination with a rotary printing drum, of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a bearing roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said bearing roller for rotation with said platen roller; a gear on said shaft: clutch means operatively connecting said gear with said bearing roller; an adjustable cam member 011 said printing drum, arranged to bear upon said bearing roller; and means whereby said shaft may be turned to adjustably vary the distance between the axes of said printing drum and platen, without varying the distance between the axes of said printing drum and bearing roller.

10. In a duplicating machine, the combi nation with a rotary printing drum; of a platen shaft extending parallel with the axis of said printing drum; an eccentric on said shaft; a platen roller journaled on said eccentric; a bearing roller carried by said shaft concentric with its axis; clutch means connecting said hearing roller for rotation with said platen roller: an adjustable cam member on said printingidrum, arranged to bear upon said bearing roller.

11. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member having a curved surface with an undercut channel therein; a printing type having flanges fitted to said channel; a cam type having flanges fitted to said channel and having a bearing face projecting beyond the printing face of said other type; and means arranged to cooperate with said cam type to limit the depth of printing impression of said printing type with respect to said platen.

12 In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member having a curved surface with a recess in its periphery; a printing type fitted to said recess; a cam type fitted to said recess and having a bearing face projecting beyond the printin face of said other type; and means arranged to cooperate with said cam type to limit the depth of printing impression of said printing type with respect to said platen.

13. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member having a surface with an undercut channel therein; a, printing type having flanges fitted to said channel; a cam type having flanges fitted to said channel and having a bearing face projecting beyond the printing face of said other type; and means arranged to cooperate with said cam type to limit the depth of printing impression of said printing type with respect to said platen.

14. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member having a surface with a recess in its periphery; a printing type fitted to said recess; a cam type fitted to said recess and having a bearing face projecting beyond the printing face of said other type; and means arranged to coiiperate with said cam type to limit the depth of printing impression of said printprinting impression of said printing type with respect to said platen, including a bearing roller and bearing means for said roller adjustable said surface.

16. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member having a curved surface with a recess in its periphery; a printing type fitted to said recess; a

cam type fitted to said recess; and means arranged to coiiperate with said cam type to limit the depth of printing impression of said printing type with respect to said platen.

17. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a platen; of a member havin a surface with a recess opposed to sai platen; a printing type fitted to said recem; a cam type fitted to said recess; and means arranged to coiiperate with said cam type to limit the depth of said printing impression ofsaid printing type with respect to said platen.

18. The combination with .a couple, including a rotary mem 'r; of means carried by the member of said couple toward and away from having a printing face arranged to vary the effective printing presure between said members without variation in the distance between the axis of said rotary member and the printing face of the other member.

19. The combination with a printing couple including a. rotary member; of means carried by the member of said couple having a printing face arranged to vary the efl'ectire printing pressure between the members of said couple by varying the eflective radius ofsaid rotary member at a predetel mined region of its periphery, without variation in the distance between the axial hearing of said member and the printing face of the other member.

20. The combination with a printing couple, both members of which are rotary; of means arranged to lessen the ,efiective printing pressure between said couple, by

varymg the cii'ective radius of one of said members at a predetermined region of its periphery, said means being carried by the other of said members. I

21. The combination with a printing couple one member of which has a yielding perimeter opposed to the other member; 0 means arranged to lessen the effective print- ,ing pressure between the members of said couple by compressing said perimeter at a predetermined region thereof.

-In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my. name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 19th day of April, 1913.

' HERMAN G. LIEBENTHAL.

Witnesses:

Vanna K. W000, BLANCHE F. Ln FEVBE.

COITQOflOfl in Letters Patent No. 1,179,849.

Itis hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,179,849, granted April 18, 1916,

upon the application of Herman G. Liebenthnl, of Philogglphia, Pennsylvania, for an improvomeht in Duplibating-Machincs, an errol appears in the printed spocifisaid Letter? Patent should be read with this correction thel ein that the same may conform to the rocord of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Siznhd and this 16th da of May, A. D., 1916.

J. T. NEWTON,

Acting C'mnmiationer ofPatents.

cation correction as follows: Page 2, transpose lines 58 and 59; and that the 

